I am the OP.... let me give my thoughts after my return flight.

PMCO layout wins hands down. Less is more: 2-2-2 > 2-4-2. make sense?
PMUA wins on IFE. the interface is just better. movie selection about the same
The crew on the outbound was TERRIBLE. And I mean T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. Most rude, unaccomadating experience I've had in years - possibly ever. It is very apparent that biz class gets treated more like coach every day. "Here's your food. Done? Now go to sleep"

Crew experience is just luck of the draw - my fiance and I drew poorly on this flight.

On the return I decided to buy up to to BF and then upgraded us to GF.
Great decision. the seat is great, but I would never in a million years pay for GF. What a joke compared to LH, TG or SQ, which I have flown in F.

That being said, the crew on the return was absolutely wonderful. And it wasnt just because we were sitting in GF. Everyone was beyond friendly and accomodating. Fiance and I both walked off the plane saying it was the best inflight experience we have ever had - ON ANY AIRLINE. Sure the hard and soft products are better on other carriers, but this was by far the best crew we've experienced. UA 836 on 4-15. PVG-ORD.